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  • Title: Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
  • ISBN: 1-55058-299-2

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)

    of Romeo and Iuliet.

    Clowne: Maddam you are cald for, supper is readie,
    the Nurce curst in the Pantrie, all thinges in extreamitie,
    make hast for I must be gone to waite.
    Enter Maskers with Romeo and a Page.
    Ro: What shall this speech bee spoke for our excuse?
    Or shall we on without Apologie.
    Benuoleo: The date is out of such prolixitie,
    Weele haue no Cupid hudwinckt with a Scarfe,
    460Bearing a Tartars painted bow of lath,
    Scaring the Ladies like a crow-keeper:
    461.1Nor no without booke Prologue faintly spoke
    After the Prompter, for our entrance.
    But let them measure vs by what they will,
    Weele measure them a measure and be gone.
    Rom: A torch for me I am not for this aumbling,
    465Beeing but heauie I will beare the light.
    Mer: Beleeue me Romeo I must haue you daunce.
    Rom: Not I beleeue me you haue dancing shooes
    With nimble soles, I have a soule of lead
    So stakes me to the ground I cannot stirre.
    Mer: Giue me a case to put my visage in,
    A visor for a visor, what care I
    What curious eye doth coate deformitie.
    Rom: Giue me a Torch, let wantons light of hart
    Tickle the senceles rushes with their heeles:
    490For I am prouerbd with a Grandsire phrase,
    Ile be a candleholder and looke on,
    The game was nere so faire and I am done.
    Mer: Tut dun's the mouse, the Cunstables old word,
    If thou beest Dun, weele draw thee from the mire
    495Of this surreuerence loue wherein thou stickst.
    Leaue this talke, we burne day light here.
    C Rom: Nay